That's what I'd always thought, too. However, I couldn't find a maximum time allotment after a quick browse through the FARs.

Not sure of that dude... someone on the CRJ got 175 hours. Never heard of the max 50 rule...

I've never seen a regulatory maximum. Airlines (at least in the past) normally had company-defined limits, but that was so they could quickly and easily get rid of slow learners. Now I think the goal is to keep any warm body on property, regardless of what it takes.

most airlines do have company limits, but there is no FAR giving a max limit.

as my check airman told my on my line check to finish IOE at TSA (which i did in 39.9hrs) that most people are usually let go if they don't finish in 40hrs because it could be a liability to the company later if said pilot goes off the end of the runway at a later date.

it takes as long as it takes, but hopefully not so long that you miss out on a few bid periods

When do ya'll think enough becomes enough, and then becomes ridiculous (regarding hours on IOE, that is)? My numbers:

TSA: ~28 hours
SKW ~40 hours (extra time is only the result of better paying trips ;-P LoL)

I've heard Mesa's FO's are routinely taking 80 hours on IOE...they're not hiring any more low-timers than the likes of TSA etc. Why the vast difference, then?

Possibly the training dept at mesa sucks big time(so i've heard) don't know much about TSA training dept. Overall it doesn't really matter how long it takes as long as the product at the end of OE is a safe competent pilot. A guy I know had an engine failure his first flight and the way he handled it made it clear to the captain that he was ready for the line after a 4 day. My first approach was a CAT 2 down to mins. Talk about pucker factor.

Still haven't gotten a Cat 2 ::shakes fist:: Everytime they're calling 200 overcast and half a mile I pick up a Visual from 10 miles out. LoL.

And TSA's training dept. is a Joke.

That's normally how it seems to go. We had 1200 ft vis and went down to about 105 ft. fun times.

Watch yourself there dude... you are treading on VERY thin ice. An apology is in order. Ya never know who you are communicating with on these forums... talking smack about the company is one thing, its rank-and-file is something else. We pilots need to stick together, especially considering the challenges facing us with contract talks coming up.

It's the way business is done in the US nowadays. And I have even heard it defended. "Ya gotta do what ya gotta do" "they're being resourceful" "I'd do the same thing if I were in their shoes", etc.